Thursday, February 27, 2014

I finally had a chance to see The LEGO
Movie, and yes, everything (about it) is AWESOME – which happens to be the
theme song of the movie – Everything is Awesome, which I believe has a duel and
opposite meaning (conformity and individuality) in the movie.

This 3D
computer animated film is amazing – LEGO bricks become a special effect that
makes you go Wow, that’s AWESOME. The movie is funny, entertaining, and it even
has a story line. It’s an adventure story with an underlying message – a bit of
a satire about conformity and blindly following the rules – everything is
awesome when “We're the same, I'm like you, you're like me, we're all working
in harmony.”However, the movie
takes the same song to point out how creativity, imagination, and individuality
while working as a team is AWESOME -“Everything is awesome, everything is cool when your part of a team:
Everything is awesome, when you’re living outa
dream (the individual’s creative dream).” Sort of reminds me of FIRST robotics
– creative individuals coming together as a team to make AWESOME robots.

There are also
some wonderful motivational one-liners such as Vitruvius:“Emmet, don’t worry about what everyone else is doing, you must embrace what is
special about you,” And as you are watching this fantastic, animated action you
are listening to lines that make you say, “Hmmm, that is very true” or “I need
to remember that line!” And the surprise twist in the movie format towards the
end makes the movie, well…just
AWESOME.

I guess
because the movie takes you through worlds that represent themes in the LEGO
products, one critic commented that it “might be a 100-minute commercial” for
LEGO. Well maybe, but it is entertaining with a little bit of wisdom and yes,
LEGO is a business out to make money and yes, they came out with a whole new
product theme based on the movie; however that little plastic brick has
inspired many in the arts and sciences– so a little bit of subliminal
advertisement for a great toy/tool wouldn’t hurt and it definitely doesn’t take
away from this (dare I say it again?) Awesome movie.

So what might
appear to be a kid, family-type movie for LEGO fans, is actually a great movie
for all ages – LEGO or non-LEGO fans – a must see movie, because it is AWESOME!

STEM to STEAM

Not to long ago the U.S. educational system realized it was lagging in the areas of math, and science. So STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering, Math became the new focus in education in an attempt to improve the quality of these subjects, get students interested in these subjects so that we could inspire them to pursue careers in these areas. LEGO Technology and Mindstorms Robotics is a natural tool for teaching STEM.

Now there is a new movement emerging STEM + ART (and DESIGN) = STEAM. Well, you might be saying, “Oh no, not another buzz word.” However, if you think about, Art and Design can be found in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Art and Design can actually help improve on our innovations in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math in our quest to improve the quality of life and our future existence.

And of course, LEGO Technology, Mindstorms Robotics, and littleBits definitely fits in the STEAM objectives.

Learning Code

Inclusion!

Helping an urban community to learn technology!

This non-profit organization was created by one of my former middle school students & FIRST LEGO League team member of the Cyberbots.

Brics~2~Bots Curriculum

Why Brics~2~Bots?

It’s a challenge, it’s hands-on, it’s learning in action. John Dewey set forth the theory that we learn better by doing - we take the knowledge and apply it by building. With LeGology Technology, littleBits Electronics, & MINDSTORMS/TETRIX Robotics Engineering students learn by designing, building, & coding. The benefits of such a curriculum goes beyond the science concepts that can be learned, the math theories that can be explained, and literacy skills that are practiced through communication between students, reflective journals and design worksheets; students express their creativity & learn to problem solve together to reach a goal - creating and inventing “cool devices” capable of awesome tasks. LeGology Technology, littleBits Electronics, & Robotics Engineering (Brics~2~Bots) are great for a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts/Design, Math) program, because it touches on all these subjects.

To see some of the projects by students at Brics~2~Bots, type in "B2B Lab" in the Search This Blog in the sidebar.

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About Me

I have been involved with LEGO® & robotics since 2002. I was the coach of NYC-FLL championship teams: Techno-Eagles, roboGbots, NYCityzens, Dragonbotz, Vulcabotz, Optibotz & The Cyberbots (FLL & FTC). Currently, I am a part-time robotics consultant who sets up LEGO Technology & robotics programs, conducts NXT & EV3 robotics workshops for schools & various organizations (AMNH). I am the Director/Instructor of Brics~2~Bots; a mini LEGO center that supports the S.T.E.A.M. initiative providing individual & small group instruction to children, gifted to special needs. Training & mentoring for new FLL coaches is also available. I am un-shamefully an AFOLAR - Adult Fan Of LEGO And Robotics! ;-)